CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Summerhayes Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including visitors, testing, PPE, cleaning, admissions and outbreak management.
- Effective?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Summerhayes Care Home: infection control measures were inspected but the service was not rated.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 28 January 2021. It looked at how the home was preventing and controlling coronavirus infection.
Inspectors were assured about the home's visitor arrangements, testing, use of protective equipment, cleaning, admissions and plans for preventing or managing outbreaks. The home used separate zones, regular testing and isolation for new residents.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report is not a full judgement on the quality of care or the home overall.
Safe visiting
The home provided a screened visiting room and outdoor areas. Visitors had to follow checks and take a lateral flow test before entering.
“A designated visiting room with perspex screen allowed people to see and speak with visitors safely and in comfort.” from the report
Reducing infection spread
The home divided residents and staff into three zones. People and staff were tested regularly, and new residents were isolated for the required period.
“The home was 'zoned' in three areas. Each group of people had their own sitting room/dining room and their own care staff team.” from the report
PPE and cleaning
Inspectors found supplies of protective equipment and saw staff using it correctly. Cleaning was frequent and recorded for checking.
“There were good supplies of protective personal equipment in place and staff were seen wearing the appropriate equipment at all times.” from the report
Updated procedures
Managers and staff kept their policies and knowledge up to date, using local training, advice and support.
“Detailed policies and procedures reflecting national guidance and legislation were in place to ensure people and staff remained safe.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently checked and supported to see residents safely?
- 02How do you now separate areas or staff teams if there is an infection risk?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested, and what happens after a positive result?
- 04How are cleaning tasks recorded and checked by managers?
- 05What arrangements are used when someone new is admitted, including any period of isolation?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under the Safe question; the service was inspected but not rated and the other four questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 February 2021 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, August 2018
Summerhayes Care Home was rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring, although inspectors noted minor medicines and record-keeping improvements.
This was a comprehensive inspection on 14 and 16 June 2018. The first day was unannounced. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, visitors, staff and a visiting health worker. They also reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management checks.
The home was rated Good for safe, effective, responsive and well-led care. Caring was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found kind and personalised care, enough staff, good support for health needs, regular activities and strong links with families and the local community.
There were a few minor issues. Temperatures for medicines stored in bedrooms were not being monitored at the time of the inspection. The medicines policy referred to old legislation, some job application forms did not record exact employment dates, and one room needed decoration and maintenance. The manager said action was being taken on these points.
The overall Good rating was unchanged from the previous inspection. This means inspectors found the home was meeting the required standards and providing a good level of care, with caring practice judged to be exceptional.
Kind and personal care
Inspectors found a warm, family-like culture. Staff treated people as individuals and supported their dignity, independence and wellbeing.
“Staff provided compassionate care and treated people as family members.” from the report
Outstanding caring
Staff went beyond basic care to help people keep their interests, confidence and links with the community.
“The care staff cared very much for helping people to retain their interests outside of the home and increasing people's sense of wellbeing and confidence.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's needs, wishes and histories. Staff understood individual routines and supported people to make choices.
“Everyone had a current care plan in place, which identified their needs and personal wishes.” from the report
Improving management
Regular checks led to practical changes, including extra lunchtime staffing and better use of the garden.
“Quality assurance systems led to improvements at the home.” from the report
Medicine temperature records
minorTemperatures were not being monitored for medicines stored in individual bedrooms during the inspection. The manager later said thermometers were being purchased and recording would be added to the morning medicines round.
“Temperatures were not monitored in individual rooms where medicines were stored.” from the report
Outdated medicines policy
minorThe medicines policy referred to previous legislation. The manager agreed to update it in line with current legislation.
“There was a Medicines Policy but this referred to previous legislation.” from the report
Some records and maintenance needed attention
minorJob application forms did not ask for exact employment dates, making gaps harder to identify. One room needed decoration and maintenance, and the latest survey results had not yet been collated.
“The application forms did not request for the actual dates that people worked at previous jobs, but the period of time they had worked.” from the report
- 01How are temperatures for medicines stored in bedrooms recorded now, and when was this system introduced?
- 02Has the medicines policy been updated to reflect current legislation?
- 03How is night-time cover arranged, and how quickly can additional staff attend if needed?
- 04Has the room needing decoration and maintenance now been dealt with?
- 05What did the latest resident and family surveys show, and how were any issues acted on?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five questions and the premises, care and management arrangements. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 August 2018 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Summerhayes Care Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 January 2012.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
“She is such a warm and gentle person while being professional and competent at the same time.”
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.